DAILY HOMILIES #Moses

Elisha, like Solomon, was given a blank cheque to ask for anything. He could have asked for riches, long life or the death of his enemies, but he asked for a double share of Elijah’s spirit. When I pray, what do I ask for?

If we must come forward for Holy Communion, we must ensure that we are in a State of Grace; we have prepared ourselves by abstaining from sin or going to confession. Before we step forward for communion, we must have decided to obey everything written in the Book of the Covenant (the Holy Bible).

We may point fingers at the Israelites, but we only need to look carefully to see the golden calves we have erected around us. Humans tend to turn their most-priced possessions into gods. For the Israelites, it was their gold ornaments. For many today, it is our expensive car (or fleet of cars), wardrobe (containing all kinds of shoes, clothes, wristwatches, etc., items we never use but adore and polish daily).

Judas Iscariot was too ashamed to face Jesus after his betrayal was exposed. What happens when people do worse things without guilt or shame? A society self-destructs when people behave like they are greater than the law. Even Jesus Christ (God in human flesh) never claimed superiority over the Law.

Do you think there is anything too much for God? While thinking about this, remember that God did not consider the sacrifice of his only Son, Jesus Christ, too much for us. Reflecting on this, St. Paul, in our second reading today, assures us that if God did not spare His own Son, Jesus Christ, for our sake, then there is absolutely nothing He cannot do for our sake. (Romans 8:31-34).

God who made you without your cooperation will not save you without your cooperation. God will never force His way on us. It will always be up to us to decide what becomes of us through our daily choices.

Today, our Psalmist sings: “For the needy shall not always be forgotten, nor the hopes of the poor ever perish.” When it seems like evil people are succeeding, don’t worry, keep trusting in God, don’t give up hope, and stop being good.

Just as a tree was the source of humanity's downfall in the Garden of Eden, a tree (the cross) was the object upon which Christ redeemed humanity. When Jesus carried the cross, he corrected the mistake of Adam. The tree, a symbol of death for Adam, has now become a symbol of life for humanity.

The Eighth Commandment forbids bearing false witness against others. Even more, the scriptures say: “Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!” (1 Chronicles 16:22). We respect our spiritual leaders not because of who they are but because of the office they occupy.

The Israelites had the privilege of seeing the glory of God in the form of a thick cloud. If only God could open our eyes to see his glory, ascending and descending upon the Tabernacle, we would not be able to contain ourselves.

Stay calm when everything is not in place in your life. Say to yourself: “It does not matter.” I may not have any money in the bank, I may not have food in the kitchen, I may not be successful in my business, I may not have any true friends or connections, I may not have a PhD, I may not have built a house, bought a car or married, I may not have children of my own, or achieved anything significant even in life, but it doesn’t matter. The only thing that counts is that I will be found worthy of eternal life if I die.

Leadership is not easy, but there is a secret to being successful at it: PRAYER. As a man, Moses was very weak; he lacked physical strength, having passed his young age. He was a meek person. He couldn’t speak coherently and confidently (hence the need for Aaron). The success of his leadership prowess came from his constant meetings with God.